Unconventional Gas Market

Market Overview:

The global unconventional gas market size reached USD 217.5 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 387.8 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% during 2025-2033. The escalating demand for higher power generation to cater to the global energy demand, rapid depletion of fossil fuels, and continual technological advancements in various drilling techniques represent some of the key factors driving the market.

Unconventional gas is a clean energy source, which is obtained from shale rock, coal seams, and low-permeability rocks with significant amounts of permeability and porosity when compared to conventional reservoir gas. The composition of unconventional gas can include natural gas liquids, carbon dioxide at a low or high concentration, as well as sulfur at a high or low concentration. By drilling horizontal directional wells, hydrocarbons can be extracted using high pressure water, sand, and chemicals to fracture rock and release them. Alternatively, unconventional gas can be obtained by hydraulic fracturing, during which highly pressurized liquid is pumped into the rock to crack it. Typically, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are often employed to extract unconventional gas. As a result of their clean burning characteristics, these gases are used for power generation, in the home sector as an energy source, and in the commercial sector for water heating, space heating, and cooling.

Unconventional Gas Market Trends:

The escalating demand for higher power generation to cater to the augmenting energy demand across the globe is a significant factor driving the growth of the market. This can be attributed to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, along with their increasing price. In line with this, a considerable rise in oil and gas exploration activities is providing an impetus to the market. Moreover, the rising use of unconventional gases in numerous end-use sectors due to an enhanced focus on sustainable development is creating lucrative growth opportunities in the market. In addition to this, continual technological advancements in various drilling techniques are also acting as a significant growth-inducing factor for the market. Also, the increasing discovery of new natural gas reserves across the globe is impacting the market positively. The market is further propelled by the growing number of collaborations, mergers and acquisitions (M&As), and partnerships among key players in numerous unconventional gas exploration projects. Besides this, favorable initiatives undertaken by government bodies of several countries to promote the usage of unconventional gas as a substitute for fossil fuels is creating a positive market outlook. Some of the other factors contributing to the market growth include the rising environmental concerns, fierce competition between unconventional gas manufacturers, increasing awareness regarding the benefits of clean energy, and extensive research and development (R&D) activities.

Key Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global unconventional gas market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type and application.

Type Insights:

• Shale Gas
• Tight Gas
• Coal Bed Methane (CBM)
• Others
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the unconventional gas market based on the type. This includes shale gas, tight gas, coal bed methane (CBM), and others. According to the report, shale gas represented the largest segment.

Application Insights:

• Industrial
• Power Generation
• Residential
• Commercial
• Transportation
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the unconventional gas market based on the application has also been provided in the report. This includes industrial, power generation, residential, commercial, and transportation. According to the report, power generation accounted for the largest market share.

Regional Insights:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets that include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America was the largest market for unconventional gas. Some of the factors driving the North America unconventional gas market include the presence of a large number of key players, the rising oil and gas exploration activities, the emerging trend of using clean energy resources in numerous end-use sectors, etc.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the global unconventional gas market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the companies covered include Chevron Corporation, Emerson Electric Co., Equinor ASA, ExxonMobil Corporation, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, Schlumberger Limited, Shell plc, etc. Kindly note that this only represents a partial list of companies, and the complete list has been provided in the report.

Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global unconventional gas market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global unconventional gas market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive unconventional gas markets?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the type?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the application?
• What is the competitive structure of the global unconventional gas market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global unconventional gas market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the unconventional gas market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global unconventional gas market.
• The study maps the leading as well as the fastest growing regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the unconventional gas industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.